Bolivia proposes new mining code to restructure sector

The Bolivian Ministry of Mining has presented a proposal for a new Mining Code aimed at restructuring the nation's mining institutions. The plan involves merging the Administrative Mining Jurisdictional Authority (AJAM) with the National Service for Registration and Control of Mineral and Metal Commercialization (Senarecom).

As part of the reform, the jurisdictional functions of AJAM would be separated to establish a new entity called Gepromin. This new agency would be specifically tasked with combating illegal mining and “juqueo,” a practice involving the theft of minerals. To fund Gepromin, the government proposes allocating 15% of resources collected by AJAM and 15% of current mineral purchase system revenues. The entity may also generate funds by monetizing seized machinery, equipment, and minerals.

The project is currently being finalized and will undergo socialization across the nine departments starting in the second week of November. The government intends to submit the proposal to the Plurinational Legislative Assembly for consideration by the end of November.